Employee Relations and Development Specialist

This Employee Relations and Development Specialist plans, coordinates, and oversees onboarding processes, including managing the staff new employee orientation and the Gator Connect Mentorship Program. This position supports performance management efforts, including assistance with probationary and annual performance appraisal processes, inquiries, and reports. It serves as a point of contact for employee relations, facilitating complaint intake, investigations, grievance processes, conflict resolution, and performance improvement interventions. By collecting and analyzing data, collaborating on training initiatives, and developing proactive policies, this role ensures a supportive and positive workplace culture.

• Coordinates staff employee onboarding processes to include New Employee Orientation and the Gator Connect staff mentorship program
• Plans, develops and delivers new employee orientation to include stakeholder and guest speaker communication, calendar invitations, room reservations, campus tours, equipment, supply and refreshment requisition, event set-up and breakdown
• Oversees the GatorConnect staff mentorship program, including assigning mentors to new hire staff, recruiting mentors, engaging with stakeholders, ensuring program elements are delivered, and evaluating program effectiveness
• Compiles data for the university strategic plan and institutional mandatory reports
• Processes employee relations complaint intakes and provides support for general employee relations inquiries
• Provides support for the staff performance management and assessment processes; collaborates with the Talent Development team in addressing performance, knowledge, and/or skills gaps
• Supports employee relations issues within the university, including, but not limited to, performance management, disciplinary processes, legal issues, investigations, and conflict management; provides direct intervention and hands-on support in resolving employee and performance-related issues
• In collaboration with senior employee relations staff, designs, develops, and implements proactive employee relations policies and practices; offers consultative services to employees regarding policies, procedures, and state and federal employment laws
• Facilitates the staff grievance process
• Receives and investigates staff complaints with neutrality, impartiality, and confidentiality, gathering relevant information and documentation, conducting interviews, producing reports, and providing updates as necessary; makes recommendations on a course of action in consultation with HR leadership
• Assists in resolving workplace conflict by consulting with parties to develop cooperative strategies for complaint resolution.
• Guides managers in developing Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs); sits in on meetings where PIPs are presented to employees, as needed.
• In collaboration with the Training & Development team, assists with training and provides ongoing user support related to employee relations, including performance management system processes.
• Assists with collecting and analyzing pertinent data, distributing relevant reports and metrics to HR leadership and other stakeholders

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• N/A

Delegation of Work:

• None N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Required Education: Required Experience: License/Certification:

• Minimum of two (2) years of education beyond high school in college or technical school Minimum of one (1) year of related job experience.

None required

• N/A

• Master's degree

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of initiatives that are appropriate and related trends, issues, and accepted practices.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements
• Individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Instruction/Training

• Demonstrates the ability to orally convey subject or message clearly and concisely to the intended audience.
• Generates interest and enthusiasm in the subject or message from the participants.
• Responds to participants' reactions or comments, and adjusts delivery style and/or format of presentation as needed.
• Possesses a thorough understanding of the subject or topic to provide practical responses to questions or issues.
• Displays applicable visuals and provides appropriate written materials to support the presentation.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.